"So, Cosima, where would you like to go? Barcelona is a wonderful city, one of my favorites, there is much to see." Delphine shouldered her duffle and handbag, curls swaying slightly as she turned to smile at Cosima. Her open demeanor betrayed her bemusement at getting off the train, but she was open to what other surprises the day might bring.
"Well, first, let's store these bags here at the station?" Pointing at the bags between them. "We can just come back here and get them later. Free us up for more exploring, right? I had some places in mind, but I would love to see Barcelona through your eyes … if you're up for being my tour guide." She was grinning again, pink flashing behind white teeth.
"D'accord. The lockers are just down the platform. I could use some fresh air after sitting so long on the train. Was Parc Guell on your list? It is one of the many Gaudi sights here, and it has a great view over the city."
Cosima nodded and smiled. They dodged the crowds in the cavernous station, Delphine led the way, carrying her long form with grace even under the weight of her bags. Cosima picked up her pace to catch up, pushing her cat-eye frames up her nose.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
As they neared the entrance, Cosima could see the root system of a tree nestled between twin arcing staircases, those then flanked on either side by the distinctive, whimsical multi-domed structures associated with Gaudi, or at least his style at the time. Cosima thought the buildings looked like they were on a tilt, perhaps slightly drunk, a Dr. Seussian invention come to life. She knew her interpretation boiled a genius' work down to a children's fantasy, but she wasn't sure he would have minded the comparison.
"I thought this might be a good example of where nature meets whimsy, Cosima," waving at the entrance. Her thoughtfulness, recalling their earlier conversation, finding something she might like, warmed Cosima. And she loved the way her name sounded rolling off that French tongue. Her thoughts immediately bordered on inappropriate.
"Delphine, this is perfect. I was just thinking how the juxtaposition of the tree and the greenery in the park contrasts so bizarrely with these sort of drunken buildings," she waved her hand in a sloping motion, hands surfing the wind. "Whimsical nature personified … or parkified, I guess," she said a bit sheepishly.
"Oui, they do look a bit drunk. Let's walk around, there are some great views, and the mosaics and sculptures are interesting."
It was early afternoon, and the park was relatively empty, a weekday in late summer, few tourists milling about. As they walked, their hands occasionally brushed, and each woman could swear the other was stealing glances, could feel the others' gaze. They were both smiling lightly.
What is happening to me? Cosima thought, full of nervous energy, she was sure something more was blossoming, which made her more unsure of what to say to the blonde.
"The detail in these sculptures, the mosaics, all these intricate tiles. They really are beautiful, especially the way the light hits them."
"Hmm," Delphine hummed, "yes, I like it up here at sunset the most. It is a strange little park, it has character, non? I believe originally, it was built as an intentional community in the early 1900s, meant to be a beacon of the latest technological advances, but also a statement for Catalonian independence. There are other … foundations … of the design, I think, political, philosophical, maybe. I cannot remember them now."
"Yes, that's right, I was reading about this. I think part of this park is modeled on the ancient temples of Apollo and the ancient city of Delphi, but also super, super Catholic. These architects crack me up. I mean, I read about all these influences, but they are such a mash-up it would be hard to discern if I hadn't read my little guidebook you know?"
Delphine laughed lightly, "C'est vrai. It does seem a bit self-conscious, all the homages? But it still makes for a unique and beautiful park. It would be boring, no, if we could say, ah, yes, this is based on the temple of Apollo, and that is it," to emphasize her point she slapped her hands across each other as if washing her hands of the issue.
"No, totally, for sure. How derivative that would be," Cosima said in a mock self-serious tone. "I like this park a lot, thank you for bringing us here."
"Hmm, yes. I was just trying to remember," she said slowly, "and I see it now. I think there is a little trolley around the corner that sells crème glacée – ice cream – I could kill for some ice cream right now."
"Perfect, yes!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
They took their ice cream to the plateau overlooking the city, Cosima leaned back against the parapet looking back at Delphine. The taller woman's long elegant frame folded over the edge looking out across the city, down to the sea, the light sparkling, bobbing in the slate grey water. The sun was peaking in and out of the clouds, a beam every now and then backlighting the blonde, casting her silhouette in gilded light. Cosima's stomach flipped, and she grew quiet, contemplative, trying to get a grip on her emotions.
"What other adventures were on your list? Where should we head next?"
"Well, if I were being honest, I have been a little beat from sightseeing, and probably would have skipped right to La Sagrada Familia and then some great Catalan food with Spanish wine, maybe some guitar. But you have transformed my sad-sack plans into a day ripe with possibility. What do you think we should do?"
"Those sound like excellent plans. What kind of music do you like? Or are you only thinking Catalan guitar because … 'when in Catalonia'?" Delphine's tongue traced the length of the vanilla ice cream piled high in her cone, Cosima's eyes were drawn to her lips, gaze lingering, momentarily forgetting herself. Delphine quirked an eyebrow, a look crossing her features, too quick to catch.
"Well, yes, but I do love music. It depends on my mood, what I'm listening for. Mostly though, I suppose electronic dance and ambient music. Have you heard of Phaelah or Mr. Scruff?" Delphine slightly shakes her head. "Okay, well Scruff's got sick dance beats, and both are sort of perfect for," she makes a slight inhaling, sucking sound, motioning smoking a joint.
"Ohhh, really. Cannabis?"
"Yessss. Cannabis. You're so cute. I'm from San Fran, so …" trailing off. "I also really like Kaki King, there's your American guitar maestro right there," her hands spinning in the air. "But, I mean like, I listen to Gregorian chants when I'm in the lab, totally focuses me. I'm all over the place. What about you? What's, um, what kind of music do you like … or a better question … what songs do you associate with love?" This was uncharted territory, she wasn't sure what response she'd get, as she looked at the blonde with a cocked eyebrow, challenging grin.
"That is very specific, Cosima." Clearly the blonde was willing to follow this line of query. "Hm, well, do you know that song, from the late 80s," she asked, switching to a sing-songy voice, "show me show me show me how you do that trick, the one that makes me scream, she said ..."
"The Cure?"
She clapped. "Yes, Just Like Heaven. That's it! Also Billie Holiday Joni Mitchell, it seems all their songs are about finding love or losing it, their stuff breaks my heart." Taking in Cosima's knitted brows, "Are you okay?"
"I guess I just figured you'd go in for some sexy French crooner or alternative French rock group, or something," she waved her hand, dismissing the thought.
Delphine let out an exasperated sigh. "You Americans and your impressions of the French! I suppose you expected me to rattle off Edith Piaf and sound 'froggy'," complete with air quotes, she imitated the most farsical impression, "ouh ouh ouh, I want to eat a ham-bargar." She let her arms swing out slightly to the side.
As if she were … marching? Cosima thought. Rolling laughter burst from Cosima, uncontrollable, probably unattractive, then she snorted. "That is the most awful, adorable thing I have ever heard, Delphine, truly."
"I did not mean to offend you at all," laughter subsiding and Delphine's slightly offended look fading. Cosima turned serious, shifting her body so she was looking directly at the tall blonde. "I like Joni too. In fact, I'm thinking of one particular song right now … A Case of You."
They gazed at each other for a long moment, Delphine pulling her bottom lip between ivory teeth. She slowly reached up, fingers barely brushing Cosima's cheek, thumb lightly touching her chin, wiping away ice cream that had dripped in the smaller girl's laughing fit. Holding her gaze, her fingers stilled slightly, she slowed as if making a decision, then she lifted her thumb to trace the smaller girl's lips. The brunette's tongue darted out lightly to lick the offered ice cream, the blonde let out a light gasp, closing her eyes.